Skip to main navigation Skip to main content Skip to footer For Medicare For Providers For Brokers For Employers Español For Individuals & Families: For Individuals & Families
Shop for Plans

Shop for Plans
Shop for your own coverage
Medical Dental Other Supplemental
Plans through your employer

Learn about the medical, dental, pharmacy, behavioral, and voluntary benefits your employer may offer.

Explore coverage through work
Learn
How to Buy Health Insurance Types of Dental Insurance Open Enrollment vs. Special Enrollment See all topics
Looking for Medicare coverage?
Shop for Medicare plans
Member Guide
Find a Doctor
Medical Dental Other Supplemental Explore coverage through work How to Buy Health Insurance Types of Dental Insurance Open Enrollment vs. Special Enrollment See all topics Shop for Medicare plans Member Guide Find a Doctor Log in to myCigna
Home Knowledge Center Wellness Library Colostomy

Colostomy

Surgery Overview

A colostomy is surgery to make an opening in the skin on the belly and connect your bowel (colon) to that opening. The opening is called a stoma. The stoma may be needed for weeks to months. Or it may be needed throughout your life.

After surgery, stool will not leave your body through your anus. It will go through the stoma and into a plastic bag. The bag is attached to the stoma.

The surgery can be done in two ways. In open surgery, the doctor makes one large cut (incision) in the belly. In laparoscopic surgery, the doctor makes several small incisions in the belly. Then the doctor puts a thin, lighted tube and special surgical tools through the incisions. The tube is called a scope. It lets the doctor see your organs and do the surgery. In either surgery, the incisions leave scars. These will fade with time.

You may worry about life after this surgery. Many people with colostomies lead active, normal lives. It may help to know that the bags don't smell bad. They also don't show under clothes. Most people likely won't know that you have a colostomy unless you choose to tell them.

In the hospital, an ostomy nurse will help you learn to care for your colostomy. You will probably go home in a few days to a week. But it could take a month or so to fully recover.

How It Is Done

How It Is Done

Anatomy of the colon and rectum

The colon and rectum and where they are in the body
slide 1 of 5
slide 1 of 5, Anatomy of the colon and rectum,

The large intestine (colon) extends from the cecum to the anus and includes the ascending colon, the transverse colon, the descending colon, the sigmoid colon, and the rectum.

Colon cancer site

Cancer in the wall of the descending colon
slide 2 of 5
slide 2 of 5, Colon cancer site,

Cancer is shown in a section of the descending colon.

Colon section removed

Possible stoma sites
slide 3 of 5
slide 3 of 5, Colon section removed,

Surgery removes the section of colon that contains cancer.

Remaining colon attached to create a stoma

A stoma for a colostomy
slide 4 of 5
slide 4 of 5, Remaining colon attached to create a stoma,

The surgeon connects the end of the remaining section of the colon to an opening made in the skin. This creates a stoma.

Colostomy pouch in place

A colostomy bag positioned on the stoma
slide 5 of 5
slide 5 of 5, Colostomy pouch in place,

Body waste passes from the colon through the stoma into a colostomy pouch (or bag), which is taped to your body.

 What To Expect

What To Expect

A colostomy usually requires general anesthesia and a hospital stay of a few days to a week. You may have a colostomy right after other surgery. You can expect some discomfort during the first few days after surgery. This can often be controlled with home treatment and drugs.

After the colostomy, a plastic bag called a colostomy pouch is taped over the opening on the outside of your body. You will be taught how to take care of your pouch and how to watch for infection. With proper care, you should be able to return to normal but nonstrenuous activities within a few weeks.

Learn more

  • Bowel Disease: Caring for Your Ostomy
Why It Is Done

Why It Is Done

A colostomy is done when part of your colon or rectum has been removed. It may be temporary while the colon heals or permanent if it is not possible to restore a connection so that stool can leave the body as usual. It may be done for colorectal cancer, diverticulitis, or other colon problems.

 Risks

Risks

The risks of colostomy surgery may include bowel blockage (obstruction), a twisted bowel near the stoma, or problems with the stoma. These problems may include bleeding, the stoma shrinking in or bulging out, a sore (ulcer) in the bowel or an infection occurring.

Current as of: July 31, 2024

Author: Ignite Healthwise, LLC Staff

Clinical Review Board
All Healthwise education is reviewed by a team that includes physicians, nurses, advanced practitioners, registered dieticians, and other healthcare professionals.

This information does not replace the advice of a doctor. Ignite Healthwise, LLC, disclaims any warranty or liability for your use of this information. Your use of this information means that you agree to the Terms of Use. Learn how we develop our content.

To learn more about Ignite Healthwise, LLC, visit webmdignite.com.

© 2024 Ignite Healthwise, LLC. Healthwise, Healthwise for every health decision, and the Healthwise logo are trademarks of Ignite Healthwise, LLC.

<cipublic-spinner variant="large"><span>Loading…</span></cipublic-spinner>

Page Footer

I want to...

Get an ID card File a claim View my claims and EOBs Check coverage under my plan See prescription drug list Find an in-network doctor, dentist, or facility Find a form Find 1095-B tax form information View the Cigna Glossary Contact Cigna

Audiences

Individuals and Families Medicare Employers Brokers Providers

Secure Member Sites

myCigna member portal Health Care Provider portal Cigna for Employers Client Resource Portal Cigna for Brokers

The Cigna Group Information

About Cigna Healthcare Company Profile Careers Newsroom Investors Suppliers The Cigna Group Third Party Administrators International Evernorth

 Cigna. All rights reserved.

Privacy Legal Product Disclosures Cigna Company Names Customer Rights Accessibility Non-Discrimination Notice Language Assistance [PDF] Report Fraud Sitemap Cookie Settings

Disclaimer

Individual and family medical and dental insurance plans are insured by Cigna Health and Life Insurance Company (CHLIC), Cigna HealthCare of Arizona, Inc., Cigna HealthCare of Illinois, Inc., Cigna HealthCare of Georgia, Inc., Cigna HealthCare of North Carolina, Inc., Cigna HealthCare of South Carolina, Inc., and Cigna HealthCare of Texas, Inc. Group health insurance and health benefit plans are insured or administered by CHLIC, Connecticut General Life Insurance Company (CGLIC), or their affiliates (see a listing of the legal entities that insure or administer group HMO, dental HMO, and other products or services in your state). Accidental Injury, Critical Illness, and Hospital Care plans or insurance policies are distributed exclusively by or through operating subsidiaries of Cigna Corporation, are administered by Cigna Health and Life Insurance Company, and are insured by either (i) Cigna Health and Life Insurance Company (Bloomfield, CT); (ii) Life Insurance Company of North America (“LINA”) (Philadelphia, PA); or (iii) New York Life Group Insurance Company of NY (“NYLGICNY”) (New York, NY), formerly known as Cigna Life Insurance Company of New York. The Cigna name, logo, and other Cigna marks are owned by Cigna Intellectual Property, Inc. LINA and NYLGICNY are not affiliates of Cigna.

All insurance policies and group benefit plans contain exclusions and limitations. For availability, costs and complete details of coverage, contact a licensed agent or Cigna sales representative. This website is not intended for residents of New Mexico.

Selecting these links will take you away from Cigna.com to another website, which may be a non-Cigna website. Cigna may not control the content or links of non-Cigna websites. Details